As we reach the end of a fabulous year of football within the Serie A, it is safe to say that we were privileged to witness numerous players rise to the occasion and surpass our expectations. Many individuals went against all the odds and proved themselves to be important staples of the league, as they displayed mesmerizing world-class performances on a consistent bases. Here is a list of three surprising players in Serie A in 2021.
Giacomo Raspadori
After a disappointing season in 2019-2020, numerous Serie A supporters doubted that Giacomo Raspadori would live up to the expectations set by his incredible run within the Sassuolo youth academy. The following season, Raspadori has managed to rejuvenate himself make and his presence known within the Serie A.
Throughout the 2020-2021 Serie A campaign, Raspadori has managed to obtain six goals and one assist for the Neroverdi. The 21-year-old has managed to make himself a regular on the team, making 27 Serie A appearances throughout the campaign. After a series of brilliant performances, Raspadori began catching the eyes of many individuals across the world, including Roberto Mancini.
In the summer of 2021, Raspadori has managed to earn his spot in Italy’s 26-man roster for the Euro 2020 tournament. Despite his very few appearances for the Azzurri, the young Italian striker began making a a name for himself through his fine-tuned dribbling and his tremendous amount of pace.
Throughout the first half of this year’s current season, Raspadori has obtained four goals and four assists in 19 games played. The young-starlet has managed to surpass the bar he has set last season through his exponential work-rate and his remarkable finishing ability, making himself a fundamental piece at Sassuolo.
Alessandro Bastoni
With the departure of the veteran defender Diego Godin at the start of the 2020-2021 campaign to Cagliari, many supporters questioned whether or not Alessandro Bastoni was able to fulfill the missing role within Inter’s back three. Although Bastoni had a rough start to the life of being a Nerazzurri, the young center-back has managed to execute Conte’s demands in a brilliant fashion.
Throughout the 2020-2021 Serie A season, Bastoni has showcased his remarkable defensive skills through his outstanding ability to anticipate offensive plays, as well as his astonishing capability to win the ball in one-on-one scenarios. The young Italian center-back has managed to add stability and creativity in Inter’s style of play when in possession through his circumferential vision, followed by his stunning ability to play out of the back in such a cool and composed manner.
After playing an important role in Inter’s Scudetto winning squad, the left-footed center-back has earned himself a spot in Mancini’s roster for the Euro 2020. Despite only making one appearance, Bastoni demonstrated to the world that he has all the necessary skills to eventually become a starter for the Italian national team, as well as pillar for Inter.
Federico Chiesa
Since his arrival from Fiorentina, many people were not sure if Juventus made the right decision in spending a hefty fee of 54 million euros on Chiesa. Regardless of of the uncertainty surrounding his significant move away from La Viola, Chiesa has managed to make a seamless adaptation to the life of being a Bianconeri.
The young Italian winger has managed to thrive under Pirlo at his new club in Turin. Chiesa has managed to make himself a staple for Juventus as he managed to obtain 8 goals and 8 assists throughout the 2020-2021 Serie A campaign. The 24 year-old winger has demonstrated above-par performances through his tremendous work ethic and phenomenal dribbling skills.
Throughout the Euro 2020 tournament, Chiesa played a vital role under Roberto Mancini with the Italian national team. The young stud has managed to help guide the Azzurri to becoming European champions through his immense amount of work ethic on the pitch, as well as his prolific finishing in the final third. After a brilliant individual display over the past year, Chiesa has proven himself to be arguably one of the best players within the Serie A.